| Everybody Loves Ice Prince | ||
|---|---|---|
| Studio album by Ice Prince | ||
| Released | October 9, 2011 | |
| Recorded | 2010-2011 | |
| Genre | Hip hop, naija, R&B, afrobeat, dancehall, raga, reggae, soul, highlife | |
| Length | 72:02 | |
| Label | Chocolate City | |
| Producer | Audu Maikori (exec.), Yahaya Maikori (exec.), Paul Okeugo (exec.), Jude Abaga (co-exec.), Jesse Abaga (co-exec.), WizBoyy, E Kelly, Samklef, Chopstix | |
| Singles from Everybody Loves Ice Prince | ||
Everybody Loves Ice Prince is the debut studio album by Nigerian recording artist Ice Prince, first released on October 9, 2011 by Chocolate City Music. The album was recorded predominantly in 2010.The Abaga brothers, Jude and Jesse worked to produce the album along with Audu Maikori, Yahaya Maikori, Paul Okeugo, among others. The album featured several guest vocalists, including Wizkid, Tuface Idibia and Brymo, who is featured on the hit single Oleku.
The album is predominantly Naija Hip hop in genre, but incorporates elements of other musical styles such as dancehall, and afrobeat.
The album was the most anticipated Nigerian release of 2011, as Ice Prince had collected a huge amount of popularity from his critically acclaimed number 1 singles Oleku and Superstar.
Everybody Loves Ice Prince received mixed reviews from music critics, who thought it was a generally good album, but did not live up to the hype surrounding it, seeing as it was the most anticipated Nigerian release in 2011.
Contents |
Ice Prince Dick was signed to the Chocolate City Music label back in 2009. He spent the next year featuring on the tracks of other artists, some very prominent, including Naeto C and Banky W.[1] In the meanwhile, behind the scenes, he was working on his debut album with labelmates, Brymo, M.I and Jesse Jagz. On June 8 2011, with the release of the first single from the album; Oleku, Ice prince was catapulted into superstardom.[2] Oleku went on to become the biggest hit in Africa for the year and created great anticipation behind Ice Prince’s debut album.[3] Work continued on the album into 2011. On April 22, 2011, the second single from the album was released. Superstar became a chart topping hit, but was not as successful as Oleku had been. [4] On September 9 2011 it was announced that the title of the now much anticipated album was Everybody Loves Ice Prince and that it would be released on October 9 2011 at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island in Lagos.[5]
After the death of his mother, Ice Prince received an outpouring of love and support from his fans. In writing the album, Ice Prince wanted to create a work that would not let his fans down after all they had done for him. Because of this he has put all his time and effort into creating what he hopes will be a "masterpiece" album. [6]
Until just days before the release, the album was known simply as E.L.I., and the full title was kept under wraps. [7] There was much speculation as to what E.L.I. might stand for until Chocolate City announced that it was an acronym for Everybody Loves Ice Prince. [8] When asked in an interview with Nigerian Tribune how he came about the title, Ice Prince replied "At first, I wanted to name the album after the street I used to live in Jos but when I lost my mother, ‘the mad love’ I got from everybody around the world made me change it to Everybody Loves Ice Prince". [9]
Everybody Loves Ice Prince incorporates many genres of West African music. It is predominantly a hip hop record, but incorporates elements of R&B, dancehall, raga, afrobeat, reggae, highlife and soul. [10] Ice Prince deliberately moved in this direction to avoid being seen as “just another rapper”. In an interview with Naija Entertainment, Ice Price said Everybody Loves Ice Prince is a fusion of many genres. I don’t want to be seen as just a rapper; in fact, I love singing more than rapping.” [6]
According to the Chocolate City Label, Everybody Loves Ice Prince is an album centred around and influenced by love and music. [8] Ice Prince cites that his work drew a lot of influence and motivation from his mother’s death, and the outpouring of love and encouragement that he received as consolation from his fans. [11]
All songs on the album are written by Panshak Zamani except where the track features another artist, in which case that artist was also involved in the writing for that track.[12]
Everybody Loves Ice Prince received mixed reviews from music critics. The general gist is that it was a generally good album, but did not live up to the hype surrounding it, seeing as it was the most anticipated Nigerian release in 2011.
Some critics found that, In a bid to appeal to the popular demographic by mixing in many genres, Ice Prince had lost the direction and unifying sound of a pure hip hop record. [13] Others have commended Ice Prince on adding other genres because they feel that it creates a new sound and adds variety to the listening experience. The variety of styles reflects on the full scope of the music Ice Prince writes, rather than just one section of it. [14] [15]
Another criticism of the album was that it varies greatly in the quality of the music. Some critics found that the album was made up of several excellent songs, strung together by a fleet of bad ones. A common complaint was that the lyrics were full of cheesy lines, which do not not help his (Ice Prince’s) credibility. [16] The album was commended on its catchy singable tunes and public appeal. Generally, Everybody Loves Ice Prince was praised for being a great shot at a debut album, if not slightly over hyped. [17]
The album has produced two singles so far; the hits Oleku and Superstar, both number one singles. [18] [19] Oleku was the most critically acclaimed of the two, becoming the number 1 song across Africa for 2010. [20] It was estimated that it was the most downloaded and mixed single of 2010. [21] Superstar was a moderately successful follow up to Oleku that, while not reaching the same levels of popularity as its predecessor, still managed to top the charts in many African countries. [4]
Everybody Loves Ice Prince was launched in Lagos on Sunday the 9th of October at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotels and Suites. [22] The launch concert was incredibly anticipated and starred Ice Prince with a live band consisting of Chocolate City Music labelmates and producers Jesse Jagz and M.I on drums and keyboard respectively. The Chocolate City boys were assisted by a starstudded cast of performers, including some of the most reputable in Africa such as Tuface Idibia, D'banj, Wizkid, Naeto C, D'Prince, Tiwa Savage, Samklef, Brymo, Hip Hop Pantsula and Sarkodiewere. [23] DJ of the night was Beat FM and Chocolate City in-house jockey DJ Caise, while the concert was hosted by radio personality Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and actress Funke Akindele. The show started four hours behind schedule, but the delay did not in any way dampen the expectation of the elated audience who waited patiently for the show to take off. [24]
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Remember (Intro)" | Jude Abaga | 4:18 |
| 2. | "Juju" | Jesse Abaga | 4:52 |
| 3. | "Superstar" | Jesse Abaga | 4:18 |
| 4. | "Magician" (featuring YungL & J-Milla) | Jesse Abaga | 3:54 |
| 5. | "Baby" | Jesse Abaga | 3:48 |
| 6. | "Olofofo" (featuring Wizkid) | Jude Abaga | 4:42 |
| 7. | "See Myself" | Jesse Abaga | 4:15 |
| 8. | "Wassup Wassup" (featuring Tuface Idibia) | Jesse Abaga | 3:53 |
| 9. | "Oleku" (featuring Brymo) | Jesse Abaga | 4:50 |
| 10. | "Find You" | Jesse Abaga | 4:17 |
| 11. | "By This Time" (featuring WizBoyy) | WizBoyy | 4:00 |
| 12. | "Somebody Lied" | E Kelly | 3:59 |
| 13. | "Small Small" (featuring Sean Tero) | Jesse Abaga | 4:24 |
| 14. | "That Nigga" (featuring Morell) | Jesse Abaga | 4:30 |
| 15. | "End Of Story" (featuring Samklef) | Samklef | 3:58 |
| 16. | "Raindrops (It’s All Good)" | Jesse Abaga | 4:38 |
| 17. | "Thank You" (featuring Chocboiz) | Chopstix, Jude Abaga | 3:26 |
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Total length:
|
72:02 | ||
|